The Gaesatae, also called Gaesati (Latin: Gaesati, Greek: Γαισάται), were a group of Gallic soldiers who lived in areas across the Alps and near the Rhône River during the 3rd century BC. They fought against the Roman Republic in the Battle of Telamon in 225 BC and again in 221 BC.

Historians Polybius and Plutarch wrote that the Gaesatae were hired by the Insubres and Boii, who promised them valuable rewards. They are no longer mentioned in historical records after military campaigns in Cisalpine Gaul, around the time the Allobroges begin to appear in writings. While no ancient writer directly connects the Gaesatae to the Allobroges, some scholars suggest the Allobroges might be their descendants.

The Gaesatae are rarely mentioned in historical texts except in the context of invasions. Strabo and the late Suda lexicon are among the few sources that describe them as a distinct group rather than just warriors. Most scholars believe the Gaesatae were not a single ethnic group but groups of Gaulish warriors from mountainous or poor regions who fought for pay. Their leaders, called "kings" (Greek: basileus), were usually war chiefs motivated by the chance to gain riches.

Etymology and name

The name Gaisatai means "armed with javelins" or "spearmen." It comes from the Gaulish word *gaisos, which meant "spear" or "javelin." This word was recorded in Latin as "gaesum." An ancient Greek historian named Polybius thought Gaisatai meant "mercenaries," writing that they were called Gaesatae because they worked for pay. However, modern linguists no longer agree with this translation.

The name is related to the Old Irish word "gaiscedach," meaning "armed person" or "warrior," which comes from "gaisced" (meaning "weapons") and "gáe" (meaning "spear" or "javelin"). The word stem "gaisat-" appears in Gaulish names like Gaesatus, Gesatus, Gesatius, and Gesatia. It also appears in the compound word "Gesato-rix," which means "king-spear" or "king-javelin."

History

According to Polybius, the Boii and Insubres of Cisalpine Gaul gave large amounts of money to the Gaesatae, led by Concolitanus and Aneroëstes, to fight against the Romans. This happened because the Romans had taken over the Gallic land of Picenum. The Gauls attacked and defeated a Roman army as it moved toward Rome. However, when the Roman consul Lucius Aemilius Papus arrived with his troops, the Gauls followed Aneroëstes' advice to retreat with their stolen goods. Papus chased them, and the other consul, Gaius Atilius Regulus, blocked their escape at Telamon in Etruria.

Polybius wrote that the Gaesatae fought at the front of the battle. Unlike their Gallic allies, who wore trousers and light cloaks, the Gaesatae fought naked. This was because they were very confident and wanted to avoid their clothes getting caught in brambles. Diodorus Siculus also noted that some Gauls fought naked, trusting in the protection of nature. The naked warriors in the front line were young, strong men, and many wore gold necklaces and arm bands. The sight of them surprised and worried the Romans. However, the promise of valuable prizes made the Romans more eager to fight. The Gaesatae’s small shields did not protect them well from Roman javelins, and they were forced to retreat. Their allies were killed, and Concolitanus was captured. Aneroëstes fled with a few followers and later killed himself.

In 222 BC, the Gaesatae were hired again, but the Gallic forces were defeated by Roman cavalry at Clastidium in the territory of the Insubres. Plutarch, in his Life of Marcellus, stated that the Gaesatae numbered 30,000 when they crossed the Alps, with 10,000 of them fighting at Clastidium.

Some scholars believe the Gaesatae may have been the ancestors of the Allobroges, a Gallic people who appeared in the same region only a few years later, around the time of Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps in 218 BC.

James MacKillop has compared the ancient Gaesatae to the medieval Irish fianna, who were groups of young, landless warriors who fought independently of any kingdom. He wrote that "Irish chronicles indicate that the first fianna were about the same time as the Gaesatae, as when they protected the ard rí [high king] Fiachach."